Oregon · Hiking

Elk Creek Falls

Elk Creek FallsPhoto: Don Henise, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
0.2 mi
round trip
12 ft
climb
505 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Elk Creek Falls open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Powers Ranger District. It doesn't name Elk Creek Falls, so check the source for the area it covers.

  • Rogue River National Recreation Trail Emergency Closure

    Agency closure covering Powers Ranger District · Order 06-10-28-26-05 · USFS · Powers Ranger District

As of · Source: USFS · Powers Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Elk Creek Falls is a short, easy hike in the Powers Ranger District of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests in southwest Oregon, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is about 0.2 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 12 feet, and it makes an out-and-back trip from a low point of about 456 feet to a high of about 505 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Powers show July and August highs around 79 to 80°F with only two or three wet days a month, while winter months bring highs in the low 50s and rain on 15 to 18 days. The trail is not accessible, and bikes and horses are not allowed. The Forest Service lists the open season as June through October, and the hike takes about half an hour. Big Tree is a hike just 0.1 mile away. Myrtle Grove campground is about 2 miles off, and the South Fork Coquille River offers canoeing about 3 miles away. Buck Creek campground is roughly 4 miles from the falls.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Elk Creek Falls

    Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      54° / 37°

      17 wet

    2. Feb

      57° / 38°

      15 wet

    3. Mar

      59° / 39°

      17 wet

    4. Apr

      63° / 41°

      15 wet

    5. May

      68° / 46°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      73° / 50°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      79° / 53°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 52°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 49°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      70° / 43°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      58° / 41°

      16 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 37°

      18 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Powers, OR, 5.7 mi away at 230 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

    Closures we've recorded since August 2026

    • Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions (Forest-wide)

      Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests · Order dated September 4, 2026; seen Sep 3, 2026 → lifted Oct 28, 2026 · Forest Service

    • Stage 3 Public Use Fire Restrictions (Forest-wide)

      Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests · Order dated July 17, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Sep 3, 2026 · Forest Service

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Big TreePhoto: Don Henise, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Big Tree

Next door

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Devils BackbonePhoto: james shaw, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Devils Backbone

~16 min drive

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Mt. BolivarPhoto: Don Henise — CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Mt. Bolivar

~16 min drive

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HIKE

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~15 min drive

Remote 30-mile point-to-point through Oregon's Wild Rogue River canyon.

Coquille River FallsPhoto: Don Henise, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Coquille River Falls

~12 min drive

0.88-mile out-and-back trail to Coquille River Falls in Oregon.

Pine GrovePhoto: james shaw, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Pine Grove

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Humbug Mountain Trail (West)Photo: AB87, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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West Fork Mule Creek

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Lake O WoodsPhoto: james shaw, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lake O Woods

~29 min drive

0.60-mile lollipop trail at Lake O Woods in Oregon with 287 ft of elevation loss.

HIKE

Johnson Creek

~11 min drive

3.71-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 887 ft gain.